后天诸毒易辨,先天所中难明,轻则发而为疮也。起似风瘾,渐成细瘰,一作搔
痒,即湿而流片如癣,自头遍体,上下随感而发,其疮有虫,故名虫胞,谓从胞胎而来
也。总是湿火相乘,血热毒盛,腠理愈开,淫毒益炽,痒为气虚,楚属血虚,其症属
腑,旋久,而气血而虚,则因热而起,又因热乘虚而内攻矣。治宜托里解毒为上,然愈
时而结聚于项者,六阳诸毒上冲,火毒炎上之征也。若初起便发于项者,胎毒壅盛上参
阳位也。如发稀面有白屑,至久不愈者,即名秃疮。亦有年长而患脑疳,白秃不生发
者,盖足少阴肾其华在发,因疳热血气损少,不能荣发耳。有收在四肢者,是日久脾
虚,湿毒感袭也。其惊疮者,惊本无物,因蹉其血气,在脏为积,在腑流溢皮肤,而为
疮也。练银疮者,眉间生疮,是肺热也。风疮者,亦发遍身,其形甚小,俗呼为疥也。
虫窠疮者,窠内有虫。如细虮子是也。诸疮治法,若痛痒不可忍者,及性急面黑而血热
者,宜苦寒,如芩连苦参之类。体胖之人,宜祛风燥湿清火为主。如久病之后,湿蒸外
达者,但事补托切勿多浴涂遏,致毒内攻,然诸疮虽属心火,常用寒凉但热则行,寒则
凝,凝则毒反滞而难痊,故莫如透肌解毒和血养阴,则风火息而燥痒除,且气血充固,
诸毒不能为患矣。若痘疹之后生疮者,余毒未尽也。亦宜化毒和血。若疮前发惊,与夫
疮后发惊者,皆因疮而致也。并宜理疮为主,至于一切胎毒,俱宜凉血清热解毒,发
散于外,切勿轻从外治,以致热毒内攻卒成不救,小儿脏腑娇嫩。易入难出耳。若至疮
色焦枯,肚腹青黑者,生疮而无脓汁者,或遍体皆疮毒、发于肋或在少腹或在顶门肿起者,并皆不治。
Use *Prunella vulgaris* (Xiakucao, 夏枯草), in any quantity. Boil it in a pot until soft and rotten, remove the dregs, extract the juice, and boil it down into an ointment for external application.
Acquired toxins from postnatal life are easy to identify, whereas congenital toxins inherited from prenatal life are difficult to clarify. In mild cases, they manifest as sores. Initially resembling urticaria (wind hives), they gradually develop into small scrofula (lymphatic tuberculosis). Once scratched and itchy, they exude dampness and spread like tinea (ringworm), starting from the head and covering the whole body, appearing up and down according to the pathogenic influence. These sores contain "worms," hence named "Chongbao" (Insect Nest), implying their origin from the fetal womb. This is always due to the mutual aggression of dampness and fire, with excessive blood heat and toxicity. As the couli (pores and skin texture) become more open, the pernicious toxins become even more rampant. Itching is often attributed to Qi deficiency, while pain is attributed to Blood deficiency; the symptoms belong to the Fu organs. If the condition persists for a long time, leading to Qi and Blood deficiency, the pathology arises from heat and further invades the interior due to the deficiency attacking via heat. The treatment should prioritize supporting the interior and resolving toxicity. However, if nodules form on the neck during recovery, this indicates the upward rush of various toxins from the Six Yang meridians, a sign of flaming fire toxins rising. If sores appear on the neck from the onset, it signifies that congenital toxins are abundant and invading the Yang regions from above. If hair is sparse and there are white scales on the face, persisting for a long time without healing, it is called "Tuchuang" (Bald Sore). There are also cases where adults suffer from "Naogan" (Brain Chancre), presenting with bald patches where hair does not grow. This is because the Kidney meridian of Foot-Shaoyin manifests in the hair; due to Chancre-heat damaging the blood and Qi, the reduced Qi and Blood fail to nourish the hair. Sores confined to the limbs indicate long-standing Spleen deficiency and invasion by damp-toxins. The so-called "Jingchuang" (Fright Sore) implies that fright itself has no physical substance; it results from trauma disrupting Qi and Blood. In the Zang organs, it forms accumulations; in the Fu organs, it overflows into the skin, forming sores. "Lianyin Chuang" (Silver Polishing Sore) refers to sores arising between the eyebrows, indicating Lung heat. "Fengchuang" (Wind Sore) also spreads over the whole body but is very small, commonly known as Scabies ("Jie"). "Chongke Chuang" (Insect Hive Sore) contains worms within the hive, such as fine nits. Regarding the treatment of various sores: if pain and itching are unbearable, or if the patient is irritable, dark-faced, and has blood heat, bitter-cold herbs should be used, such as *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩), *Coptidis Rhizoma* (Huanglian, 黄连), and *Sophorae Flavescentis Radix* (Kushen, 苦参). For obese individuals, the main approach should be dispelling wind, drying dampness, and clearing fire. In cases following chronic illness, where dampness steams outward, only tonification and support are needed; one must avoid frequent bathing or applying astringent topical treatments, which might cause toxins to invade inward. Although all sores are related to Heart fire, when using cold-cooling methods, one must note that heat promotes circulation while cold causes stagnation. Stagnation leads to toxin retention and difficulty in recovery. Therefore, it is better to use methods that penetrate the muscle layer to resolve toxicity, harmonize Blood, and nourish Yin. This extinguishes wind-fire, removes dryness and itching, and ensures sufficient and solid Qi and Blood, preventing various toxins from causing harm. If sores appear after smallpox or chickenpox, it is due to residual toxins; detoxification and blood harmonization are appropriate. If convulsions occur before or after the appearance of sores, they are caused by the sores themselves; the primary treatment should focus on managing the sores. For all congenital toxins, cooling Blood, resolving toxicity, and clearing heat are indicated to disperse toxins outward. One must not lightly resort to external treatments alone, which could cause heat-toxins to invade inward, leading to fatal outcomes, especially since children's Zang-Fu organs are delicate, making pathogens easy to enter but hard to expel. If the sores turn scorched and dry, the abdomen turns blue-black, sores produce no pus, or if the entire body is covered with toxic sores swelling on the flanks, lower abdomen, or the fontanelle, these are all incurable conditions.